What term describes the manipulation of people to perform actions or reveal confidential information?

What term describes the manipulation of people to perform actions or reveal confidential information?

• A. Social engineering
• B. Phishing
• C. Malware
• D. Brute force attack

Answer: (A)

Manipulating people to reveal information or to perform actions relies on exploiting human psychology rather than technical flaws. This approach, known as social engineering, hinges on trust, authority, urgency, or fear to persuade someone to disclose passwords, click a harmful link, or grant access. Because it targets the human element, it can be delivered through a phone call, an in-person interaction, or a deceptive online message. Phishing is a common form of social engineering, such as emails or messages that look legitimate, but the broader idea here is the manipulation of people itself. Malware and brute force attacks are technical methods aimed at machines or passwords, not at influencing people to act.

Manipulating people to reveal information or to perform actions relies on exploiting human psychology rather than technical flaws. This approach, known as social engineering, hinges on trust, authority, urgency, or fear to persuade someone to disclose passwords, click a harmful link, or grant access. Because it targets the human element, it can be delivered through a phone call, an in-person interaction, or a deceptive online message.

Phishing is a common form of social engineering, such as emails or messages that look legitimate, but the broader idea here is the manipulation of people itself. Malware and brute force attacks are technical methods aimed at machines or passwords, not at influencing people to act.